Master in Quantum Information Science

Master in Quantum Information Science is one of 13 English-taught Science programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 7 institutions. 13 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 2,400 to EUR 17,300; this programme lists EUR 8,700 a year. 11 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students. The same programme title is offered at 2 institutions, so compare the content, campus and requirements before you choose.

Quantum Information Science at the University of Copenhagen is a two year master's programme run jointly with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). It mixes computer science, mathematics and physics, and you can lean theoretical or go experimental. Teaching is in English.

What you study

Three compulsory courses open the field: Introduction to Quantum Information Science and Introduction to Quantum Computing, both at UCPH, and Quantum Information Technology at DTU. From there you pick restricted electives. The named options include Quantum Information Theory, Physical Implementation of Quantum Information Processing, Experimental Techniques in Quantum Technology (DTU), Quantum Compilers (DTU) and Quantum Algorithms and Machine Learning (DTU). The wider elective list adds courses such as Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures, Functional Analysis, Graph Theory (DTU), Machine Learning A and B, Quantum Error Correction, Quantum Optics (DTU), Quantum Photonic Communication (DTU) and Scientific Computing in Quantum Information Science (DTU). You finish with a thesis, either theoretical (computer science, mathematics or physics) or experimental. It can be 30 or 45 ECTS, and only UCPH allows the 45 ECTS version.

How the programme is organised

Semester one (blocks 1 and 2) is taught at UCPH. Semester two (blocks 3 and 4) is taught at DTU. In the second year you can take courses at either university. A block is nine weeks and 15 ECTS. Teaching takes the form of lectures, theoretical exercises, experimental lab work and live programming of quantum computers. With a 30 ECTS thesis you take 20 ECTS compulsory, 40 ECTS restricted electives, 30 ECTS electives and the thesis. With a 45 ECTS thesis it is 20 ECTS compulsory, 25 ECTS restricted electives, 30 ECTS electives and the thesis. You are offered a mentor at study start to help with course and specialisation choices. You can use elective space for a project in practice in Denmark or abroad, with an approved supervisor and host, ending in a project report and oral exam. Study abroad is also possible, with credit transferred back.

Who it suits

You should be comfortable moving between mathematics, physics and computer science rather than staying in one lane. The programme lets you specialise in a theoretical direction within computer science, mathematics or physics, or take a more technological or experimental route. If you want lab work and hands-on programming of quantum computers alongside theory, the mix is there. If you already hold a qualifying bachelor's in one of these fields, you can build on it.

Admission, language and next steps

You apply through the application portal. Certain bachelor's degrees meet the academic requirements automatically, including UCPH Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Machine Learning and Data Science, and Cognitive Data Science with a specialisation in Artificial Intelligence and Human Centered Computing, plus named degrees in mathematics, physics and computer science from the University of Southern Denmark, Aarhus University and Aalborg University, several DTU degrees (Cyber Technology, Physics, Nanotechnology, Artificial Intelligence and Data, Mathematics and Technology, Software Technology) and Data Science from IT University of Copenhagen. Other Danish or international degrees need at least 120 ECTS within mathematics, physics and/or computer science. English B is required. If qualified applicants exceed places, priority goes to ECTS within these fields, then grades in them. Deadlines are 1 March for Danish, EU, EEA and Swiss applicants and 15 January for others. EU, EEA and Swiss students study free of charge; other students pay a fee set by the institution. The programme starts 1 September 2027.

Master’s applications go straight to University of Copenhagen, not through optagelse.dk, and the institution sets its own deadline. The register shows 15 January 2027 as the next deadline for this programme. Intake, as the register states it: Starts 1 September 2027 (apply by 15 January 2027). Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, residence permits and housing.